How to Lose Belly Fat with Yoga

Losing belly fat is a big challenge for many women. The dreaded "muffin-top" and belly pouch are both things that can be difficult to slim down or see any change.

That's where yoga comes in.

While yoga isn't a cure-all for belly fat, it will build muscle and strengthen your core if you keep in mind a few important things, all which can help you lose belly fat. Doing the right yoga with intention, combined with eating right can boost your metabolism and help you burn fat around your tummy.

Here's how:

Find the right yoga class. While all yoga classes will focus on your breath and finding your center, there are some that will make you sweat more than others. If you're looking to tone muscle and burn fat, you want to sweat!

Power yoga classes present poses in a fast-paced series that are more vigorous than restorative yoga poses and classes. Some people refer to it as "aerobic yoga" because of the intensity and pace of the movements.

Bikram yoga is another form of yoga that will definitely make you sweat and consequently lose weight. These classes will move you through a organized sequence of 26 poses and two breathing exercises in a room where the temperature is set anywhere from 95 to 105 degrees.

Hot yoga is very similar to Bikram in that it is also done in warm temperatures. The difference is that the instructor is not limited to just 26 poses and this type of practice induces profuse sweating. So the heat and the sweat factor are still there!

Do core strengthening poses. The best way to burn belly fat during yoga is to add a sequence of core strengthening poses at a quicker rate to increase metabolism. Plank pose is considered the simplest, yet most effective pose to tighten core muscles. The cobra pose and boat pose are also good to add to your list if you want to strengthen abdominal muscles.

Practice balancing poses. There are many yoga poses aimed at improving balance. While improving balance, they also help to tighten abdominal muscles. Just like the plank pose, the side plank pose can help to keep muscles tight as you balance on one arm to hold your body up. Tree pose is another balancing pose that improves posture and requires you to keep muscles tight as you focus. Something as simple as standing up straight and keeping good posture can also help to lose belly fat. When the back is weak it makes it more difficult to do exercises to strengthen your stomach muscles. If you maintain good posture both on and off the mat you are also helping to bust that belly fat!

Develop better habits. Yoga helps to alter your eating habits and sleep patterns which can both help you lose belly fat. When you practice yoga you become more mindful. You begin to care more about your body and the foods you are putting into it, making you less likely to reach for that candy bar. Yoga challenges you physically while helping you de-stress, both helping you to sleep better. When you don't sleep well, your cortisol levels rise which can lead to weight gain. So do your yoga and make sure to get in some of that much-needed sleep!

With a combination of these yoga toning exercises and yogi-inspired eating habits, you can be on your way to busting that belly fat for good!